Austria in mourning after mass school shooting

SBS Australia

a day ago

The southern Austrian city of Graz is in mourning after a former student killed at least 10 people when he opened fire at a local high school. In an unprecedented act of deadly gun violence, the 21 year-old entered the school with two guns and began shooting at others before taking his own life. Announcing three days of national mourning, Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker says the entire country is in pain. 'Today is the darkest day in the history of our country. The killing spree at a school here in Graz is a national tragedy that shakes us to the core. Nine people were suddenly torn from their lives by this inconceivable act. There are no words to express the pain, the bewilderment and the grief felt by the whole of Austria.' Nine victims were immediately confirmed dead, while one woman died from her injuries in hospital later. While authorities are yet to confirm the victims' ages, the father of a 17 year-old French student has confirmed his child was among those killed. Police say the suspect acted alone and was found dead in a school bathroom after the attack. They say the gunman was not previously known to police. Graz Police Official Gerald Ortner says police discovered a good-bye letter addressed to the shooter's parents, but they say it gives no indication of motive. 'The alleged perpetrator is a 21-year-old Austrian from the district of Graz. According to current information, two firearms were used in the offence, which were recovered at the scene. These weapons are now being forensically examined. The suspected perpetrator is believed to have possessed the weapons legally. It is not yet possible to provide any information about the motive.' Mass shootings are rare in Austria. According to a 2024 analysis by the Rockefeller Institute of Government, there were only two such incidents in Austria between 2000 and 2022. While the Global Peace Index ranks Austria among the top ten safest countries in the world, Small Arms Survey data shows it ranks 12th in the world in gun-holdings per person. But weapons expert and owner of a gunshop in Vienna Markus Schwaiger says he's surprised that the shooter legally owned a pistol. "The whole case is a little bit astonishing. It's the first time that we had such a case with category B weapons, because usually young people are using category C weapons, which are really easy to buy. And in this case, he used a pistol, which is category B, which requires to take a psychological assessment in advance. I don't know how he managed to get through this assessment and to get his weapons licence to buy the pistol." Police say 12 people suffered injuries in the attack, some serious, adding that support is being provided to witnesses and victim families. With a three-day mourning period in place, bouquets of flowers and candles have been placed at the school entrance and several nearby businesses are closing their doors. Eager to help those injured in any way they can, crowds of people in Graz queued to donate blood. 30 year-old Johanna says she felt helpless and decided to donate. "It's just one more horrible news that I heard today and it's really close now. So it makes me sad and really, really upset. And it just shows how much difficulties are in the world. It's just an expression of a lot that's not under control and in harmony." With condolences pouring in from across Europe, European Commission spokeswoman Paula Pinho says Europe stands with the city of Graz. "We would like to offer our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and the entire city of Graz, and we stand together in mourning, and while we seek clarity in the wake of this horrible event in a school."